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Removal instructions for the OperativeInfluence adware

Also Known As: Ads by OperativeInfluence
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is OperativeInfluence?

OperativeInfluence is a rogue app that our research team discovered while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. We determined that this application operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

OperativeInfluence adware

OperativeInfluence adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of advertisements on visited sites and/or different interfaces. The ads promote various scams, unreliable/dangerous software, and even malware. Additionally, some intrusive adverts can perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

It must be mentioned that any genuine products encountered via these ads are unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. Instead, this endorsement is undertaken by scammers who abuse affiliate programs in order to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Advertising-supported software might not deliver intrusive advert campaigns if the browser/system specs are incompatible, particular websites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. However, regardless of whether OperativeInfluence displays advertisements – its presence on a system endangers device integrity and user safety.

Furthermore, AdLoad apps often have browser-hijacking qualities, and this might apply to OperativeInfluence, although we did not observe any such traits during our analysis.

What is more, this piece of rogue software likely spies on users' browsing activity. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The collected data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like OperativeInfluence on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by OperativeInfluence
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.8), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information This application belongs to Adload malware family.
Symptoms Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Adware examples

We have inspected numerous adware-type applications; LaserMacroKnowledge, DominantDisplay, and DigitalSection are just a couple of examples.

Advertising-supported software rarely appears suspicious; it tends to look legitimate and useful. However, its functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. Even if the software operates as advertised – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did OperativeInfluence install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using the "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Adware can also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed through online scams. Most users enter these deceptive pages via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software as well. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission. Additionally, fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official and verified sources. It is essential to approach installation with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all additions.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts may look innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you continuously experience ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OperativeInfluence, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once OperativeInfluence adware's installation is over:

Pop-up displayed once OperativeInfluence installation is complete

OperativeInfluence adware's installation folder:

OperativeInfluence adware install folder

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

Video showing how to remove OperativeInfluence adware using Combo Cleaner:

OperativeInfluence adware removal:

Remove OperativeInfluence-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Manual removal of malicious Mac applications

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash.

After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can decrease browsing quality and system performance. This software is also considered to be a privacy threat, as it typically collects private data. Furthermore, adware displays advertisements that promote deceptive/malicious content, which can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware operates by enabling the placement of ads on various interfaces. Some types can also cause redirects and gather private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs. Adware developers can earn commission from advertisement clicks, webpage visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove OperativeInfluence adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed adware-type applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might be ineffective. In some instances, even after the adware has been manually removed – file leftovers remain hidden within the system. These remnants may continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is essential to remove advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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